Arterial Disease

What is Arterial Disease?

Arterial disease refers to a group of vascular conditions that affect the arteries — the blood vessels responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. The largest artery in your body is the aorta, which stems from the heart’s left ventricle and branches out into smaller arteries throughout the body, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to every organ and tissue.

When arteries become narrowed, blocked, or weakened, blood flow is restricted, potentially leading to serious health complications. Arterial disease can affect arteries anywhere in the body, but it most commonly impacts the arteries in the legs, kidneys, and abdomen.

How Does Arterial Disease Develop?

The most common underlying cause of arterial disease is atherosclerosis, often called “hardening of the arteries.” Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances build up on the inner walls of arteries, forming deposits called plaque. Over time, this plaque narrows the artery and reduces blood flow.

As plaque accumulates, the arteries also lose their natural elasticity, making them less able to expand and contract in response to changes in blood pressure and physical activity. In advanced cases, plaque can rupture and trigger a blood clot, which may completely block the artery and cut off blood supply to downstream tissues.

Types of Arterial Disease

At Preferred Vascular Group, we diagnose and treat several forms of arterial disease:

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Peripheral Arterial Disease is the most common form of arterial disease. PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet, causing pain during walking (claudication), numbness, and in severe cases, tissue damage that can lead to amputation if untreated. PAD affects approximately 8.5 million Americans, with higher prevalence in adults over age 50 [1].

Renal Artery Disease

Renal Artery Disease involves narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys. This reduced blood flow can cause high blood pressure that is difficult to control with medication alone, and over time may lead to kidney damage or kidney failure. Renal artery stenosis is one of the most common correctable causes of secondary hypertension.

Symptoms of Arterial Disease

Arterial disease often develops slowly, and many people have no symptoms in the early stages. As the condition progresses, symptoms depend on which arteries are affected:

• Leg arteries (PAD): Cramping, pain, or fatigue in the legs or hips during walking or exercise that goes away with rest; numbness or weakness; coldness in the lower leg or foot; slow-healing sores on the toes, feet, or legs; change in leg color; reduced hair growth on the legs
• Kidney arteries: Difficult-to-control high blood pressure, decreased kidney function, fluid retention, fatigue
• General signs: Fatigue, weakness, or reduced ability to perform daily activities

Because symptoms may not appear until significant blockage has occurred, regular screening is important — especially if you have known risk factors.

Risk Factors

Several factors increase your likelihood of developing arterial disease:

• Smoking — the single most significant modifiable risk factor
• Diabetes — high blood sugar damages artery walls over time
• High blood pressure — forces the heart to work harder and damages arteries
• High cholesterol — contributes directly to plaque formation
• Age — risk increases significantly after age 50
• Family history — a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease
• Obesity — increases strain on the cardiovascular system
• Sedentary lifestyle — lack of exercise contributes to plaque buildup
• Chronic kidney disease — associated with accelerated atherosclerosis

Diagnosis

Early detection of arterial disease is critical for preventing complications. At Preferred Vascular Group, we use several diagnostic methods:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): A simple, painless test that compares blood pressure in the ankle with blood pressure in the arm to detect reduced blood flow in the legs
• Duplex Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to visualize blood flow through arteries and identify areas of narrowing or blockage
• CT Angiography (CTA): Advanced imaging that provides detailed pictures of arteries throughout the body
• Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): Uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of blood vessels without radiation
• Angiography: A minimally invasive procedure in which contrast dye is injected to visualize arterial blockages in real time

Treatment Options

Treatment for arterial disease depends on the severity and location of the blockage. Our vascular specialists develop individualized treatment plans that may include:

Lifestyle Modifications

For early-stage disease, lifestyle changes can slow or even reverse progression:

• Quitting smoking
• Following a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat and sodium
• Engaging in regular supervised exercise
• Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar

Medications

Prescription medications may be used to manage risk factors and improve blood flow, including blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering statins, blood thinners, and medications to manage diabetes.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

When lifestyle changes and medications are not sufficient, our interventional specialists offer advanced, minimally invasive treatments:

• Angioplasty with Stenting: A catheter with a small balloon is guided to the blocked artery and inflated to open it. A stent (small mesh tube) is often placed to keep the artery open.
• Atherectomy: A specialized catheter is used to remove plaque from inside the artery, restoring normal blood flow.

These procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis with minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to normal activities quickly.

Why Choose Preferred Vascular Group?

At Preferred Vascular Group, our board-certified vascular specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating all forms of arterial disease. We offer:

• Comprehensive diagnostic testing at our convenient office locations
• Minimally invasive treatments that reduce recovery time and risk
• Coordinated care with your primary care physician and other specialists
• Eight locations across Georgia and Ohio for accessible, expert vascular care

If you are experiencing symptoms of arterial disease or have risk factors that put you at higher risk, early evaluation can make a significant difference in your long-term health outcomes.

References

1. Criqui MH, Aboyans V. “Epidemiology of peripheral artery disease.” Circulation Research, 2015. PubMed
2. Peripheral Arterial Disease. StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2024. NCBI Bookshelf
3. Shu J, Santulli G. “Update on peripheral artery disease: Epidemiology and evidence-based facts.” Atherosclerosis, 2018. PMC